Sleep is a behavior

◦Yes it is also a change in consciousness but there is still a change in behavior

Measuring sleep patterns can be done in multiple ways.

◦Electroencephalogram (EEG) –Brain waves

◦Electromyogram (EMG) –Muscle activity

◦Electro-oculogram (EOG) Eye movements

◦Other devices Autonomic measures (heart rate, respiration, skin response)

Brain Waves

◦Awake – state of relaxation       (Alpha)

◦Alert and attentive     (Beta)

–Desynchrony (multiple neural circuits actively processing information)

◦Entering stage 1     (Theta)     –Firing of neurons more synchronized

transition between sleep and wakefulness

◦Stage 3 sleep     (Delta)      High amplitude

Slow-wave sleep

Non-REM sleep

◦Synchronized EEG activity during deep stages of sleep

REM sleep

Dreaming, rapid eye movement

Importance of Sleep

Slow-wave sleep

◦Permits the brain and body to rest

Slow-wave and REM promote DIFFERENT TYPES of learning

REM sleep

◦Promotes brain development

Sleep does more than allow the brain to rest

It Aids in the consolidation of long-term memories! (take advantage of this when prepping for a quiz!)

Slow-wave and REM sleep play different roles in two major categories of long-term memories

◦1. Declarative memory (explicit)

◦2. Nondeclarative memory (implicit)

–First think about the consciousness of an individual during REM vs. slow-wave sleep.

–Which stages of sleep do you think aid in the consolidation of declarative/nondeclarative memories?